GROW RARE SEEDS | What To Plant In Southern Gardens In July

Despite the blazing heat of summer in the South, there are still ways to squeeze in some new crops. Baker Creek horticulturist Shannie McCabe shares some heirloom varieties you can grow, and she has some essential tips for success!
Highlighted varieties:
Oxheart carrot
Muscade carrot
Old Timer cowpea
Chinese Mosaic long bean
Emerald okra
Eagle's Pass okra

[@shawnplowman4205]

Thank you for making a video for those of us in southern zones. I love your seeds and I watch many of your videos, but I live in zone 10a and it’s really hard figuring out what applies to me. Please keep making videos for the warmer climates.

[@Janetsdragonfly]

I am in 10 B and this is the first time that I’ve seen something this specific to my area I really appreciate it I buy seats from Baker Creek now and will continue please keep what grows win for a super southern car gardeners

[@tarawalker7193]

For the super south, Malabar (climbing) spinach and Egyptian spinach (Jute) are great to plant right now too. They love the heat! Also moringa!

[@RedMei126]

For Malabar spinach can I grow multiple in a large container? Or do they need to be one per container like tomatoes? I have quite a few seedlings that sprouted and I was thinking of transplanting two each into already established containers.

[@tarawalker7193]

@@RedMei126 It can grow pretty large, but definitely. I usually put 2 in a 5 gallon container. I have about two on my porch. Give them plenty of water and sun and they'll grow like mad. 😁

[@HomeCentsWithNell]

I'm growing malabar spinach now and it's doing great despite the heat. Nice flavor, too.

[@conniekeshet]

Im worried i wont like the mucus of malibar. So you all like it??

[@tarawalker7193]

@@conniekeshet It takes some getting used to. My best recommendation is so cook it with something where you won't notice too much, like with beans or meat.

[@PermacultureAppalachia]

Thanks a lot, this is great information. Too many Southerns have no _clue_ what to plant in July.

[@monikaleon5968]

Thank you for separating the videos between north and south gardens! Really appreciate it!!

[@austinediblegardens]

Growing sweet potatoes in the summer is the best!

[@CarisseH]

Thank you. I live in zone 9, and it's hard to find anything right now to grow. Appreciate the vlog.

[@giojared]

I am zone 9b! Great time for melons, squash, beans, and fast growing peppers...

[@CarisseH]

I'm still growing beans, watermelon, zucchini, And tomatoes. But some are looking pretty sad atm. I'm just eating for August to start the new crop.

[@elph77]

@JoJo Skye Don't give up.

[@SongBirdPS911]

Thanks for thinking of us southerners! I greatly appreciate it!

[@gvas7560]

Thabnk ypu for suggestion. Growing watermelons, melons. Roselle. Zinnias, Thai long brans, peppers. Sunflowers. Will put in my sweet potatoes cuttins once we get a day in the low to mid 90s. Right now we are in the high 90s😓 Thanks for sharring. Keep up the good work God bless you

[@grammyoffour890]

Shannie you are so awesome! I am Zone 9B and I really appreciate you breaking down the zones for us. So very helpful. I just started some Dragons Tongue beans and hope they survive our heat. They are about 4 inches tall right now. Keeping my fingers crossed. Have a blessed day!

[@oOostarbabyoOo]

yay im so glad i can still grow okra! im in zone 8b and i let june pass me by without planitng some okra but imma try anyway!

[@victoriac1672]

Loofa!! Does amazingly now I. Flroida

[@victoriac1672]

JoJo Skye you can but it will still climb like crazy!

[@Ckeese75]

Thank you!!!! Living in Bakersfield, CA zone 🔥9b. Needed this today!! Was planning my fall garden, but this gets me in the mood to add more to my current garden. Encroaching 💯 🔥this week 😰 😂🌻🍆 🍅 🌶🥒🍓🍈 Keep the videos coming, love the information, tips and inspiration!!!

[@lucismith1880]

Thanks for doing super south. I’m new to this area (9b) and am learning.

[@nellytalford7119]

Thank you for all that information...I'm in zone 9..God bless you!!

[@Janetsdragonfly]

I am in 10 a B I watch all your videos and really appreciate this I’ve been buying for from Bakers Creek for the last couple of years just on roots and refuge brought your seed company to my attention first all the seats that I received have been awesome but I know I’ve made some mistakes in growing certain ones at the wrong time keep the super south gardeningTips coming thank you so much this is from Janets dragonfly

[@melissagannon5711]

Gardening zones are regarding plant hardiness. What will live through a winter. For veg garden you need to know how many growing days you have. First and last frost. I'm in PNW. Mild winters. Perennials do great. But we still don't have as long a growing season as Southern states.

[@mariasalas6927]

Your videos and advice has been so helpful! I'm a new garderner and I'm super invested in research for zone 9 plants. Is there any chance of doing more videos in this format of southern and northen gardening videos

[@steveegbert7429]

A lot of the West side of the PNW is 8a-8b also, so this is a help for us. Thanks Shannie!

[@alysebarton8840]

I'm in the lower part of Florida... growing cow peas, onion, squash, collard, mustards, corn, and hot peppers, sweet peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini. So far peas have yielded, and still producing. My squash will be ready in two weeks. Just waiting on everything else.

[@cassaleelee]

I've planted purple hills peas in early July in containers, and they did very well.

[@cassaleelee]

Purple hull

[@alysebarton8840]

Thank you that's what I ended up planting purple hull peas. The onions, greens and peas yielded. The rest not so much.... I think I'll try again with the collards

[@christagrote8519]

I live in 8a. Melons are another you can direct sow. The Kajari melons handle the heat like a champ.

[@henryshunni5935]

Christa Grote I was worried about my Kajaris; they've been in my raised bed for a couple of months, and had finally started taking off. Then over the last two weeks we've hit 100 a couple of times and although they had male blooms, I thought the heat was going to take them out. To my delight (even with 3 straight 100+ days this long weekend), the plants look really strong, female blooms showed up and even had pollinators flying/crawling in them! I've got my fingers crossed that pollination took, and I'll have melons to enjoy!

[@sqwrrl]

That is natural for all squashes, it produces a lot of male flowers first. On my pumpkins I usually count about 10 male flowers before I see the first female on. Just knowing that then we don’t obsess 😅

[@literarymary680]

Yay! Love to see your new vids. Thanks for all the great info!

[@kimiyemlsmallgardendream8115]

Lol Monterey/Salinas Ca as in the middle of both North and South ready to fall into the Pacific Ocean. West Coast I guess I can grow all types of plants. Not hot not cold and no humidity🍅🥬🥒🥕🥦❤️❤️❤️

[@Just-Nikki]

Kimiye Mendonca-Lopez I haven’t been there in years but Monterey is a beautiful place. The temperature there really is perfect for gardening.

[@DroppingStones985]

Thanks. From south louisiana this helps alot

[@10huskys]

Thanks for sending me here:)

[@EssayonsFG]

Great information to share for us here in zone 7a.. Take care and stay safe, Rob

[@giojared]

Awesome video as always! Keep em coming!

[@maryjemisonMaryjay1936]

I dearly love Okra 8b zone

[@TheMons26]

I'm so excited about this!!!

[@martagain8840]

It would be beneficial for us all if you left a visual spelling of all your suggestions so that it's easier for us growers to understand and order. It helps anyway. Thanks for your help.

[@RedMei126]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@alleyfarm6731]

Great information we appreciate it!

[@GardenBandits]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@gregcrowe8885]

Thank You for helping

[@kitakhat]

I started a dwarf okra for containers few weeks ago, pintos, dragon's tongue. I'm in Texas 8a looking for sweet potatoes. Most sellers are done for the season I guess. I have mostly fall crop seeds that I wouldn't try til mid August maybe because it stays really hot up until October before it cools down and loose daylight.

[@brittmyzone8agarden]

This can right on time I’m in zone 8a in Georgia and I’m been trying to get started

[@lisakukla459]

I'm right on the cusp, in Tulsa zone 6b/7a. But this makes me feel better about my okra not being up yet. Rascally rabbits keep eating it as soon as it pops up. It's a good thing they're cute. 😒

[@alysebarton8840]

Try putting them in cages

[@_westcoastcanine_]

Thank you 💦🌱🌲

[@rosea830]

Good info, thanks!

[@tcotroneo]

I’m in zone 7a and any brassicas at this point get murdered by cabbage moths.. I’ve gone to insect netting, as soon as they show up (around late May) thru September.. It will also slightly shade my brassicas from the intense heat..

[@Kendergurl]

Thanks from 8b!

[@ThirdCoastGardening]

I just added some things to my garden today, July 6th.

[@KimClark-1]

I’ve got my Burmese Okra seeds from you guys ready to go!

[@ABamaGardener]

Thanks Shannie. Keep these coming. Im in the "Super South" Zone 8b. This is very helpful. Was wondering why you are in the GA/FL Line? Is their a video where you mention this?

[@RareSeedsBC]

Shannie is in Folkston, GA!

[@claressalucas8922]

Thank you! I feel like we Southerners get left out of a lot of gardening discussions. I live in a suburb of Atlanta. The grow packets say I'm in zone 7 but my plants act like I'm in zone 8 or higher. Is there something to be said about the difference between urban vs. rural growing zones as well?

[@breathingthebay4906]

That’s a great question...I had the same thought as I moved to the country in February, so I feel like I want to chime in. I grew up in a small country town (zone 9a) and I lived in basically a suburb. We regularly got triple digits. Now 10 years later I moved back to that hometown, but now I live outside of town in the rural part of the county on about an acre and a half surrounded by almond orchards. I definitely feel a difference in humidity and heat. The sun doesn’t get blocked by houses or any other building for that matter so there is much more direct sun on our property and it feels MUCH hotter. And the orchards probably aid in humidity.

[@claressalucas8922]

@@breathingthebay4906 Thank you for telling me I might not be crazy! I grew up on a rural farm that is almost the exact same latitude as my house now. We still own that property. Yet, plants that grow well there don't necessarily here and vice versa, even given exact same conditions (e.g. relative position to house, in a container, same potting mix, fertilizer schedule, etc.) I really think more attention should be paid to one's garden's surroundings when talking about microclimates. For the record, I think we city mice get higher nighttime temperatures due to all the asphalt, which needs to be factored in.

[@Just-Nikki]

Claressa Lucas micro climates. I’m from Cobb County and I went by zone 8a’s schedule when I was living there. I’m in Saint Louis now which falls under 5a or b but my local Agricultural Center has my neighborhood listed as 6a because it’s a microclimate pocket.

[@RareSeedsBC]

Micro-climates on a whole play huge roles, so while zones are a great general guide, its not the be all and end alll. We tend to focus on DTM and frost dates for a more accurate assessment

[@claressalucas8922]

@@RareSeedsBC Thanks! Perhaps you could focus more on how to assess your garden's microclimates. For instance, in my suburb east of Atlanta, we're in a bit of a rain shadow. The city itself dries up thunderstorms on their way to us, which is great during hurricanes but not wonderful when we're in a drought. Do you have an episode for first time gardeners about what to expect from local topography or other climactic quirks? Actually, that would be quite helpful for even folks like me with 15 years' experience, but maybe some angles I haven't considered. Love the channel!!

[@dispmonk]

Thanks, I watched both. Zone 8 farthest north west you can get. Guess i am southern haha.

[@JLJohnson]

Thank you for defining south. That’s a big complaint I’ve had about prior videos

[@paigeproffitt4488]

💚💚💚

[@s.leemccauley7302]

My weather is screwy. 90 degree days 50 degree nights. Garden isn't doing so well. Maybe it will level out soon and we can get a little production going. I think the winter squash are a write off though.

[@UsDiYoNa]

North Carolina is 6b-7a... hard call

[@rachelstrahan2486]

👍

[@oliviahamilton8654]

The zone system is a little confusing for me. I live in Seattle, WA (zone 8b or 9a according to the internet?), but we rarely get above 100, really only one or two weeks in the 90s. Actually, we haven't gotten hotter than 70 yet and have had a ton of rain.

[@tashurasmith2147]

I live in the south and it's got why not plant in pots instead of the ground. This what I will be doing again, since I live in a highrise.

[@the_shadow_healer]

Fla-GA line is my hometown, Valdosta, GA. Are you there?

[@RareSeedsBC]

Folkston, GA!

[@amylucas]

Where did you get your awesome gardening hat?

[@RareSeedsBC]

I got it at a Mexican grocery store in Apopka, FL!

[@foodbaby5497]

Thank you!!! I live in GA in zone 8a.

[@danam.8709]

Fun, too bad I live in the Pac NW on the DRY side not Seattle. Plus a bit of a westher mess since it's 59*F on July 1st.

[@sammielou7412]

Garden Answer channel would be right up your alley! She mostly does flower gardening but she also has vegetable garden tips.

[@caracoates4834]

I live in Oregon (zone 8). Would we follow the zone 7 instructions for sowing carrots?

[@RareSeedsBC]

you would start about 2 weeks later than recommended

[@caracoates4834]

@@RareSeedsBC Thank you!

[@fromhighheelstohaybales8727]

When would I plant kohlrabi in zone 7b?

[@RareSeedsBC]

Its a cool weather crop that does best planted soon after last frost of the year

[@dimitriosandreadis6360]

Or maybe some types of corn

[@LONESTARPIONEERING]

Thank you can I share this to my KZbin channel ?🇺🇸

[@RareSeedsBC]

for sure! :)

[@debradixon6746]

I'm in zone 8b high desert CA. What can be planted and grown in hot dry climate?

[@ddthompson42]

www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/zipcode/92277# I used to live in 29 Palms, and boy do I miss the desert! Farmer's Almanac has an good list; just drop in your ZIP.

[@RareSeedsBC]

The crops shannie suggested in the video should work well for you, Cow peas, chinese long beans, okra and roselle are all options for you.

[@tarakelley3777]

Can you grow sunflowers now in zone 9b?

[@RareSeedsBC]

yes you should be able to :)

[@JigmeChhimi]

Hi Shannie, what can I grow in zone 9B

[@RareSeedsBC]

The advice given in this video, like cowpeas, long beans and okra are all great options for you

[@paxnature7435]

Hi am in Vancouver BC Canada Zone 8 what can i grow right now? Thank you.

[@RareSeedsBC]

you should be able to use shannies suggestions in the video like cow peas, chinese red noodle beans and okra.

[@YairaSparkle]

Awesome suggestion for a newbie! ***Can Sweet Potatoes survive a frost?***

[@eanderson1801]

No. That is when I harvest.

[@RareSeedsBC]

no, you should harvest before first frost

[@YairaSparkle]

@@RareSeedsBC Thank you!

[@magpie7970]

Can you add a list of what you discussed? Thanks,

[@RareSeedsBC]

Old timer Cowpea, Chinese long mosiac bean, Emerald and Eagle pass Okra, Sweet potatoes.

[@LeeCraftyHomestead]

I love your hat. Where you get it ? thanks for the information.

[@kathym7495]

I have a very similar hat, Slogger brand that I bought at Tractor Supply a couple of years ago. It is holding up well. I Paid right at $20.

[@RareSeedsBC]

The hat came from a latin American grocery store in South Apopka, Florida called La Taxequeña

[@mrmckenny4772]

Where did you source your hat?

[@RareSeedsBC]

The hat came from a latin American grocery store in South Apopka, Florida called La Taxequeña

[@crazychickenladyhomestead6918]

What about corn?? Is there any problem sowing it now?

[@bantamdude]

Depends on the maturity time on the package.

[@alysebarton8840]

I planted corn either the end of May beginning of June ...it's already 2 feet tall. I'm in zone 10b

[@alysebarton8840]

I also planted some today. I will see what it does.

[@RareSeedsBC]

If you are southern you should still have plenty of time :)

[@crazychickenladyhomestead6918]

@@RareSeedsBC 7B here! Yea!

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

I started a bit of a garden... ten tomato plants, two pepper plants, a couple of cucumbers, and a couple of squash. I now have eight tomato plants and two pepper plants and they are still only a foot high. The weeds and grass have grown faster than they have. Too bad I can't eat the weeds and grass. Unless they take off, I kind of doubt I'm getting much out of them. The slugs killed the cucumbers and squash. The deer topped everything once. No idea what killed a couple of tomato plants, they just up and died. The dirt was prepared and fertilized properly with time-release fertilizer and the plants look fine, but they're just not growing much. Point is, we need to genetically engineer the weeds to make them edible because if we did, there would be no hunger as those mofos grow no matter what.

[@junquette3000]

I find being a forager goes hand-in-hand with gardening, and it sounds like you may, unfortunately (and not what you've planned for), have a potential bounty for unwanted edibles aka WEEDS! Broad leaf plantain, clover, lemon sorrel, nipplewort, and chickweed (both the smooth and mouse ear variety) are several that come readily to mind. These are edible (depending on the age and size as they can vary in bitterness) and can be used in salads or cooked. Not sure what zone you're in, but these are growing and are plentiful in mine right now. You may even find a sow thistle or wild lettuce or two in the mix. Explore! Backyard Forager on KZbin is a good place to start as is the Eat the Weeds website. Good luck with your tomatoes (mine have also plateaued at about a foot, sigh, the joys of gardening).

[@alysebarton8840]

Maybe try ground cover the next or container gardening. Also cages to protect the crop from wildlife. Lol

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Where can I get a hat like that? Thanks. Best wishes Bob.

[@1jw298]

Go to ebay and type in big ass hat! 😂

[@bantamdude]

The Philippines?

[@kathym7495]

I have a very similar hat, Slogger brand that I bought at Tractor Supply a couple of years ago. It is holding up well. I Paid right at $20.

[@RareSeedsBC]

The hat came from a latin American grocery store in South Apopka, Florida called La Taxequeña

[@nikolassink1]

Yea I did the zip code search but came up with nothing sucks living in tampa.

[@finnm6793]

Where in Tampa? I'm on Davis Island 33606. Normally the first frost is around the last week of December and the last frost is around the last week of January. Your microclimate may be different since I am right on the bay it tends to be a bit cooler than other areas.

[@nikolassink1]

Yea I'm right before shore acres and then I have an acre by 38th ave and us19.

[@snsmystic]

and all of west coast lol

[@Sheywh12]

Are all Cow peas climbers??

[@RareSeedsBC]

There are many bush cowpeas out there

[@aprilbean5561]

what about the west?

[@RareSeedsBC]

here is a more general video you could use -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWq4pX5jl7ujqck

[@tashurasmith2147]

I am going home depot for plants to plant instead of doing seeds. Swiss chard was doing nicely in the heat. Until my people uptop of me wash bleach and disinfectant down off there balcony into my plants.🤮🤨😒

[@10huskys]

Seems like most of things are out of stock lol

[@RareSeedsBC]

greetings, we are having a hard time keeping up with unusually high demand, but we are restocking daily!

[@10huskys]

@@RareSeedsBC it's fine I know it's this whole carona thing.

[@sbarr10]

What a shame to be plugging a carrot that is out of stock at Baker Creek. :(

[@RareSeedsBC]

Apologies, we are restocking continually and it should be a matter of days for most items!

[@sbarr10]

@@RareSeedsBC Wow, your carrot seeds came in. Ordered already. Thanks !! :)